Swamp fever outbreak believed under control
Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), a potentially fatal viral infection, was confirmed here for the first time last June. Most of the 28 cases confirmed occurred in counties Meath, Kildare or Dublin.
All but three were in thoroughbred horses.
Last week, Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan said the lengthening interval between the more recent cases — and the long interval sine the last case on December 10 — give further reassurance that the situation in now stable and that the disease has been contained.
She said her Department can trace all of the cases back to events related directly or indirectly to the initial outbreak, and has found veterinary treatment linkages between a number of cases.
“My Department is also continuing to progress its epidemiological investigation into the circumstances in which the disease was first introduced into the country, as part of which officials have travelled overseas to consult with international colleagues.”
“If sufficient evidence is gathered to support a prosecution, we will seek to have the case prosecuted through the courts,” she said.
Replying to a Dáil question by Kildare North TD Bernard Durkan, Minister Coughlan said movement restrictions has been placed on 53 separate premises, of which only six currently remain in place. Assuming no further cases, the last of the restricted premises will be de-restricted by the middle of March, on completion of the necessary testing regime.
Movement restrictions were imposed on more than 1,200 horses, (most of them on their home premises) whose owners were advised to isolate the animals.
More than 42,000 samples have been tested for EIA by the Irish Equine Centre and the Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory.
A further 8,000 to 10,000 blood samples are due to be tested by the end of March.
Minister Coughlan said owners of horse with clinical symptoms suggestive of EIA should immediately contact their vet, and arrange to have a sample from the horse analysed. Veterinary practitioners should, at all times, observe the highest standards of hygiene, and dispose of or thoroughly sterilise (autoclave) contaminated instruments.
